The History of Pompidou Centre
President Georges Pompidou of France had the idea in 1969 to have a center of modern arts in Paris, and he chose the Beaubourg neighborhood for its location in an attempt to revitalize it. The center is named in Pompidou's honor, but Parisians frequently refer to it as "Beaubourg." It includes an art museum, a center for music center, library, cinema, and sections devoted to the newest ideas in the arts.
Architects and Engineers
The Pompidou Centre was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and British architect Richard Rogers. Their entry, just one out of 680 entries by architects, won an international contest to determine who would design this new center. The British firm of Ove Arup engineered the building, and it was built from 1971-1977. It opened in 1977 with a large exhibition of the works of Dada artist Marcel Duchamp.
Description
The public's reaction to the Pompidou Centre was at first unfavorable. Its appearance is unconventional, with the framework outside the building along with brightly colored tubes to carry air (blue), water (green) and electricity (yellow). Bright red elevators and escalators encased in clear tubes are also located outside the building.
National Museum of Modern Art
One of the main attractions at the Pompidou Centre is the National Center of Modern Art. This museum hosts many groundbreaking exhibits of modern art. Past shows include: Dada, Robert Rauschenberg, Isaac Julien, Amelie von Wulffen, Aurelie Nemours and Jean Cocteau. The National Center of Modern Art also features guided tours and many exhibits intended just for children.
IRCAM
IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique) was founded by composer Pierre Boulez and is an important part of the Pompidou Centre. It is the site of innovative avant-garde music composition and research in music technology. IRCAM offers a full schedule of concerts that feature avant-garde and 21st century composers.
Other Features
Currently, the Pompidou Centre also includes the Biblioteque Publique Information, a library open to the public that also offers an online reference service. There is a popular viewing area on the top floor that offers excellent views of the center of Paris. The Beaubourg Plaza in front of the Pompidou Centre features street performers year-round and a carnival atmosphere in summer. Since the Pompidou Centre is devoted to emerging arts and artists, it is constantly evolving and stretching its own boundaries, offerings and divisions.
Junior Centre Pompidou
The Pompidou Centre also features a children's museum. Exhibits intended for children and some created by children can be seen at the center and online. (See link below.)
